NEF/H&R Singleshot

[Big D]

Hey yall. I've got a little extra dough to do something for myself, so I want to go simple. No bells and whistles, just simplicity @ its finest....the underrated single-shot shotgun. My very first shotgun was an ole H&R Mod 58 20ga....still have it and still is as sound as the day it was made, only I have given it to my mother, as she likes the lowly 20ga. I already have an 870 and a Stoeger SxS, so I've got those bases covered. I recently wandered into an ole pawn shop near home, and found that they have half a dozen or more H&R single barrels, all around $100 bucks with a 20% discount.

So I've been thinking about going back and pciking out the best one of the bunch. What intrigued me the most about these guns is about a year ago I saw somewheres on a prominent gun forum (can't remember) where someone had taken a 12ga H&R, and described how it could be used as both a modern shotgun, and a muzzleloader....by reusing shotgun casings (cutting off the plastic case, and using the brass over by replacing the primer with a 209). If anyone can relay me to that website, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, I found a 20ga H&R at the same pawn shop, with a survivor stock and sling for $140. Any ideas or comments greatly appreciated!

 

[19-3Ben]

Also, I found a 20ga H&R at the same pawn shop, with a survivor stock and sling for $140. Any ideas or comments greatly appreciated!

Sounds pretty good as something to leave in a bag in the trunk of the car just in case.

 

[MCgunner]

I'd never thought of the muzzle loading deal, would work for a SxS, too, I reckon. But, I sorta prefer the convenience of shells. I wonder about blow by at the breech, though?

A little over a year ago, I got the hankerin' for a 10 gauge for goose hunting. I'd looked at the BPS, love 'em, but I got to thinkin' about the H&R. Most times either a second shot is a waste on geese (if they're high when you shoot at 'em the first time) or if they're setting, you often have time to reload a single shot with the shell already in your off hand. I got to thinkin' about the simplicity and the ruggedness of the single shot (and the affordability, I admit) and ordered a H&R. I've not regretted it. I've used it for two seasons now and it's deadly and ruggedly simple out in the public marsh where I hunt the most. For ducks, I'd rather have a repeater, but the single shot does well on geese. I'd started hunting 'em as a teen many years ago with an old Iver Johnson 16 gauge. That was back when they sold high brass 2s at the local country store in 16 gauge.

I will say, the 20 in an H&R has a might big of a kick to it for a kid's gun. I wouldn't buy one for a kid, made that mistake already. But, it'd make a great camp gun, outdoor companion, etc. I have a coach gun in 20 that serves me, but if I didn't, I'd probably get another H&R in 20. I sold the one I had to a guy at work who's boy needed a first shotgun. They're cheap and they'll last a lifetime. I still have that old 16. Now, I haven't fired it in 20 years or better, but it's tight as new and the thing was discontinued in 1947 according to the reply to an NRA inquiry I made about the gun.

 

[Markus]

Try here for H&R info http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php?board=132.0nfo Beware though, they will suckyou in and before you know it you will have one in every guage.

 

[goon]

I have an NEF youth model 20 gauge that might be about what you're looking for too. IIRC, the barrel is 22" modified choke. I got this one used a couple years ago for about $60 at the local gun shop. Haven't really done anything with it since then but I'm thinking about doing some kind of customizing. Eventually I also want a full length 20 gauge in the same gun.
I've hunted small game with .410, 20 gauge, and 12 gauge. Here's what I've found - first, single shots are light and handy to carry all day and they have very nice balance. Second, I have always been just as effective with one. If I hit a grouse on then I hit it with the first shot so using a pump never helped me there. I also used to suffer from a problem with "fire discipline", meaning everything generally got shot more times than it needed to. Overall, as a hunting gun I like NEF single barrels a lot.

 

[dak0ta]

I had a NEF single in 12 ga, and i was shooting trap with it with 7.5 target loads. the recoil kicked, but it wasn't too bad at first, but after a while, your shoulder just gets tired of being thumped. you can try to man up all you want, but sometimes your body begs to differ, and you should probably listen to it at that point. other than that, if you're just shooting a couple of rounds here and there, then by all means get one. they're fun! oh and one bad thing i noticed at least on my specimen was that the trigger guard albeit plastic, was really rough, so the recoil of the gun would cause the trigger guard to scrape and cut my trigger finger. so sand it down if you do get one.

 

[FLNT4EVR]

Buy the handi of your choice.You can't go wrong.

 

[thebigc]

i took my 12ga pardner crow hunting today didint see anything but still put a couple of 3in magnum goose loads into a big berm made up of brush and stuff from clearing the feilds i love the ''invigorateing'' kick it has plus its light i just wish it had a sling mount though

i got it for about 120 nib years ago

 

[scottishclaymore]

Recently I purchased a used NEF in 12 ga. I love the gun's weight and the way it handles, and have taken it skeet shooting on a couple of occasions. Right now it rides in the trunk with a belt of 25 rounds in case I need a shotgun for anything. Because of the price I'm seriously considering buying another one and hacking it down to the legal limit. Not because I need it (I've got a Mossberg pump), but more because it would be a fun little project.

 

[goon]

Scottishclaymore - get a youth version. They are 22" barrels and that way you still have a choke.

 

[BHP FAN]

Yeah,and no legal hassles,either!

 

[jmortimer]

If you get one at the pawn shop get the "rifle" version you like best and you can ship it to H&R/NEF and get the exact 20 guage barrel you want. Then you will have two guns/calibers you want for the price of a new gun. As you may know the NEF/H&R rifle can get a shotgun barrel but the shotgun can't be a rifle.

 

[ArmedBear]

I paid 50 bucks to a private party for an old single shot 20 Gauge. It's quaint, and I've used it once or twice, but I wouldn't pay a penny more for one unless I had a very specific mission for it (e.g. dog hunt tests, where break-action guns are mandated, but the gun will get thrown in the mud).

A bit more than $140, and you'll have a used 870, a takedown repeater that will let you change chokes or even barrels without tools.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, I gave 200 bucks for my 10 gauge, but the alternative was over 600 for a BPS and I didn't wanna spend that much. I do like it a lot, though, and have not really wanted to spend 600 bucks on such a single purpose shotgun even if I hunt geese quite a bit. More of my hunting is for ducks and I don't need the 10 for ducks. I tend to be able to get them in closer even on blue bird days and, hell, they don't take as much killin'.

A single shot 20 or general purpose, I might go 100 for if I just wanted it. I'm not sure why I'd want it, though, LOL They are tough little guns. Yeah, you can even find a NEW Maverick pump on sale here and there for 150 or so. Academy ran a special a few months ago. If I'd needed a shotgun for something that all the ones I have now don't do, I might have been tempted.

 

[plumberroy]

I personally don't care for the suvivor or tamer stocks I have a tamer that I put a standard synthetic stock on and love it now I love my H&R singles.
ArmedBear. No disrespect man,but that is one of the things on the net that drives me crazy, :banghead: any time some one mentions a single shot some one pipes in with "if you spend X dollars more you could get a repeater " I can see it for a newbie asking about a first shotgun. but this gentleman has all ready stated he has a pump and double. Believe it or not there are some of us that just enjoy the simplicity of a single shot. About 4 years ago I bought a new 870 lefty and a couple weeks later I bought a H&R 28 ga. The 870 hasn't had 2 boxes of shells fired through it on the other hand I have a half a garbage bag of 28 hull laying in the corner. by the way several of the H&R singles have screw in chokes now too.
Roy

 

[ArmedBear]

Sorry that it drives you crazy that people don't think a used 20 gauge H&R is worth $140 at a pawn shop. I don't.

I like my old 66 SuperSingle, for what it's good for, but like I said, I paid 50 bucks for it. That's about what I think a basic single-shot 20 gauge is worth. And the H&R is a rough gun by comparison to the old Ithaca. So sue me.

Hell, for under 300, I bought a pretty decent old American double gun in 16 Gauge. Some of us just enjoy the simplicity of two triggers, extractors and fixed chokes, but don't want to drop much money on an H&R. It sure doesn't "drive me crazy" when someone says that an 870 Express is a better all-purpose gun for the same money than my old 16 -- because they are right.

An H&R is not even a true takedown, which it damn well ought to be. That, in and of itself, would make it a better gun to stuff in a nook or cranny, and add versatility. Note that I said an 870 is a takedown. To me, that's worth something, too. If you don't want a repeater, stuff the magazine tube with Velveeta. It will still be a takedown.

If someone wants a 20 Gauge H&R to play with, and $140 is pocket change to him anyway, I think he should buy the thing. Whatever.

 

[plumberroy]

I can remember when You could buy singles for $30- $50 a round here. even savage 22-410s but not now those are scarce as hens teeth and most used H&R's are close enough to new in price you might as well buy new. especially the survivor and tamer stocked versions. I don't know why because they increase felt recoil and are awkward to reach the hammer. If I found an American double for $300 I would own it too. As far as take down, If I have pants on I have a swiss army knife in my pockets so one screw is still takedown to me And H&R's made today are rough compared to the H&R's in the times that Ithaca was made
Roy

 

[Nick5182]

My first gun when I turned 13 was an NEF pardner 20 Ga. Although I now have two 870s, I still take that little gun out every time I shoot clays, or go plinking in general. They are great little guns.